Do your kids watch tv at bedtime? I know this is a controversial subject but I’ve always been ok with it myself, all 4 of them have been happy to snuggle down and generally doze off without too much fuss.
So when my 6 yr old announced he was giving up bedtime tv I was shocked but figured we’d just wait and see.
He’s on day 6 now and he still has no intention of changing his mind. He is reading his favourite books, trying to write a journal and quietly playing with some of his lego men.
When asked why he made this choice he was very clear:
I need to get as good as I can with my reading and I need to learn my scriptures.
I couldn’t really argue with that eh? I must admit though, he does settle down quicker and seems to be totally ok with his decision.
For years the tv has been a controversial issue with many parents, but to me it is whatever we make of it. There was a time when our tv was on all the time, often no-one would be watching it but still, it was on. For the last year or so I have made a daily point of the tv not being on at all for so many hours when the kids are home. When I’m home alone it’s only ever on if I have the radio on via Sky. If I had my way I would get rid of all the tv’s in the house and focus on other activities, hobbies and interests but I have to admit, our family cinema nights really are something to keep, oh, and the Wii playing too!
So now I am reassessing my tv viewing when I go to bed. Kirsten rarely puts her tv on, she prefers music and/or reading so now it’s just me that has the problem!
I think it’s time to break out a new batch of books…not those fiction kind though, I much prefer biographies/educational/motivational reading.
What about your home? Are you or your kids big on tv? Does it work or are you like some friends of mine and refuse to have a tv in your home altogether?
Debs
Comments
I am careful about what my son watches tho', young childrens' minds are easily disturbed; even I have to admit, I get it wrong occasionally!
Then there's Albert Bandura's experiment with the Bobo doll:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobo_doll_experiment
I believe in this, kids do copy aggression. However, we must not forget that the majority of adults who witness violence on TV can differentiate between what is real and what isn't. Moreover, we also react differently to children, in as much that we're able to put what we see into context owing to life experience and empathy.
To conclude: Children need supervision whilst watching TV, and more importantly children should actively be taught empathy. Other than that - enjoy!
Thanks for sharing :)